Things to do in Lake Nakuru & Naivasha

Nakuru County

Two Rift Valley lakes within easy reach of Nairobi: Nakuru with its flamingo-lined soda shore and rhino sanctuary, and freshwater Naivasha with hippos, fish eagles and lakeside lodges.

Best time to visit

June to October and January to March for the best roads and viewing. Flamingo numbers rise and fall with lake levels all year.

Getting there

Both lakes are a 1.5 to 3 hour drive from Nairobi along the A104 through the Rift Valley escarpment — ideal for weekends.

What to do

Wildlife & safari

Lake Nakuru rhino drive

One of Kenya's best places for both black and white rhino, plus Rothschild's giraffe.

Wildlife & safari

Flamingos on the soda shore

Flocks feed along the shallows when the algae are right.

Adventure

Naivasha boat safari

Glide past hippo pods and watch fish eagles dive.

Adventure

Hell's Gate cycling and gorge walk

Cycle among zebra and hike the gorge beneath towering cliffs.

Adventure

Crescent Island walking safari

Walk freely among giraffe, zebra and waterbuck on an island with no predators.

Rest & relaxation

Lakeside lodges and spas

Long lunches and quiet gardens on the water — an easy weekend reset.

Good to know

• Carry binoculars; flamingos often feed far from shore.
• Hell's Gate is one of the few parks where you may walk and cycle among wildlife.
• Both lakes work as a day trip, but an overnight is far more relaxed.
• Nakuru gives strong Big Five odds within three hours of Nairobi.